News
| May 1, 2019

Installation Of 44 Acrow Bridges Begins In Cameroon

Structures were supplied to the Government of Cameroon as part of a financed Comprehensive Bridge Development Program

Parsippany, NJ (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Acrow Bridge, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, is pleased to announce the installation of the first of 44 bridges provided to the Government of Cameroon as part of Acrow’s financed Comprehensive Bridge Development Program delivered in 2018. In addition to the supply of the bridges, the program provides the extensive training of local engineers and technicians in the assembly, installation and maintenance of these critical infrastructure assets.

Designed to contribute to the repair and modernization of Cameroon’s rural infrastructure, the project will support the development of regional trade and provide better access to schools, medical clinics and other basic goods and services. The modular steel bridges, prefabricated in the United States, are single- and multi-span double-lane structures ranging from 12 meters to more than 120 meters in length, which will be installed throughout the country by the local workforce. Acrow will continue to provide technical advisory services on-site to select installations.

Since its founding in 1951, Acrow has delivered bridging solutions in over 80 countries, with more than 2000 structures having been installed in developing countries over the last decade. Over the past two decades, Acrow has been engaged in more than 20 countries in Africa in the delivery of well over a thousand bridges and the training of thousands of African engineers and contractors in bridge assembly, installation and maintenance.

Through its financed Comprehensive Bridge Development Program model, Acrow has worked on a number of large infrastructure development projects in Africa, including the supply of more than 150 bridges to the Government of Angola, 100 bridges to the Department of Feeder Roads in Ghana and recently, more than 130 bridges to the government of Zambia. Financing for the project in Cameroon was arranged by Acrow Bridge via a lending facility extended by Societe Generale Bank, a Paris-based international financial institution, and loan guarantees issued by the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank). In 2016, this project was awarded EXIM Bank’s “Deal of the Year.”

Acrow’s prefabricated steel bridges are well-suited for infrastructure development projects, as they offer a number of advantages over other types of bridges. Acrow’s modular design allows for the easy customization of each structure to meet specific site requirements, which often enables bridges to be erected in challenging, remote locations. Installations are typically completed in days or weeks, employing the local workforce and requiring minimal heavy equipment. Acrow bridges are durable and permanent infrastructure solutions designed to withstand even the most rugged of conditions with a service life of 75 years or more. Acrow’s modular components are fabricated in the U.S. from high-strength, high-quality U.S. steel and hot-dip zinc galvanized to protect against corrosion.

“It is extremely gratifying to see this project come to fruition, with Acrow bridges now being installed across Cameroon and to the benefit of the Cameroonian people,” said Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President – International at Acrow Bridge. “Acrow is privileged to have worked with the Government of Cameroon, EXIM Bank and other stakeholders on this important project, which required a collaborative, solution-oriented approach to successfully manage the complex set of technical, logistical and financial challenges.”

“Strong infrastructure is fundamental to competitiveness, stability and sustainable economic growth anywhere in the world,” added Bill Killeen, CEO of Acrow. “The relationships we have established with different African nations over the years have resulted in some of our most gratifying achievements as a company, as our bridges help connect people and communities in ways that support the expansion of prosperity for individuals, businesses and governments.”

About Acrow Bridge
Acrow Bridge has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 60 years with a full line of modular steel bridging solutions for vehicle, rail, military and pedestrian use. Acrow’s extensive international presence includes its leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 80 countries, covering Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com.